U.S. patent application number 12/440636 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for on-board machine, frequency collecting device, and frequency collecting method.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU TEN LIMITED. Invention is credited to Takehito Iwanaga, Koji Uchihashi.
Application Number | 20090254243 12/440636 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39230176 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090254243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uchihashi; Koji ; et
al. |
October 8, 2009 |
ON-BOARD MACHINE, FREQUENCY COLLECTING DEVICE, AND FREQUENCY
COLLECTING METHOD
Abstract
Provided is an on-board machine capable of readily examining
whether a self-diagnosing mechanism operates in a normal manner
while satisfying statutory requirements. The on-board machine
includes an EEPROM for storing a failure diagnosis executing
frequency calculated on the basis of a failure diagnosis executed
by an electronic control device under a predetermined travel
condition set in advance, and a control portion for transmitting
the failure diagnosis executing frequency stored in the EEPROM in
response to a transmission demand for the executing frequency of
the failure diagnosis from an external frequency collecting device
3 when the failure diagnosis executing frequency is within a
predetermined frequency range.
Inventors: |
Uchihashi; Koji; (Kobe-shi,
JP) ; Iwanaga; Takehito; (Kobe-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
Kobe-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
39230176 |
Appl. No.: |
12/440636 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
September 27, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/068884 |
371 Date: |
March 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/31.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 21/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/33 |
International
Class: |
G01M 17/007 20060101
G01M017/007 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2006 |
JP |
2006-264872 |
Claims
1. A failure-diagnosing on-board machine provided in a vehicle, the
on-board machine comprising: a storing portion for storing
information related to a failure diagnosis; and a control portion
for, upon receiving a transmission demand from an external
frequency collecting device, transmitting an executing frequency of
the failure diagnosis on the basis of the information related to
the failure diagnosis stored in the storing portion, the failure
diagnosis being executed when a predetermined travel condition is
satisfied.
2. The on-board machine according to claim 1, wherein: the
executing frequency of the failure diagnosis is a ratio between a
counted value indicating the number of times of travel counted when
the travel condition is satisfied and a counted value indicating
the number of times of monitoring counted when a judgment as to
normality or abnormality is made by a failure diagnosis carried out
during the travel; and the control portion transmits the executing
frequency of the failure diagnosis when the counted value
indicating the number of times of travel is equal to or more than a
predetermined counted value or when the executing frequency of the
failure diagnosis is within a predetermined frequency range.
3. The on-board machine according to claim 1, wherein at the time
of the transmission demand for the executing frequency of the
failure diagnosis from the frequency collecting device, the control
portion transmits at least information including area-of-sale
information or travel distance information of the vehicle together
with the executing frequency of the failure diagnosis or in place
of the executing frequency of the failure diagnosis.
4. A frequency collecting device comprising: a vehicle database for
storing vehicle information including a failure diagnosis executing
frequency calculated from a failure diagnosis of a vehicle; a
target vehicle extracting portion for extracting a concentration
target vehicle from the vehicle database; and a frequency
concentrating portion for concentrating through a communication
line the failure diagnosis executing frequency from the
concentration target vehicle extracted by the target vehicle
extracting portion and for registering the failure diagnosis
executing frequency to the vehicle database, wherein the target
vehicle extracting portion extracts the concentration target
vehicle on the basis of production control information including at
least a type and a production time of the vehicle.
5. A frequency collecting method comprising: connecting a vehicle
and an external frequency collecting device with one another
through a communication line, the vehicle having an accumulated
record of an executing frequency of a failure diagnosis carried out
under a predetermined travel condition; and concentrating to the
frequency collecting device an executing frequency of a failure
diagnosis of a vehicle satisfying at least a predetermined
concentration condition.
6. The on-board machine according to claim 2, wherein at the time
of the transmission demand for the executing frequency of the
failure diagnosis from the frequency collecting device, the control
portion transmits at least information including area-of-sale
information or travel distance information of the vehicle together
with the executing frequency of the failure diagnosis or in place
of the executing frequency of the failure diagnosis.
Description
[0001] This application is the U.S. national phase of international
application PCT/JP2007/068884, filed on Sep. 27, 2007, which
designated the U.S. and claims priority to JP Application No.
2006-264872, filed on Sep. 28, 2006. The entire contents of these
applications are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an on-board machine for
controlling an executing frequency (hereinafter also referred to as
"monitoring frequency" in this specification) of a failure
diagnosis under a predetermined travel condition, a frequency
collecting device for concentrating a monitoring frequency from
outside a vehicle, and a frequency collecting method.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In recent years, in order to prevent serious accidents and
environmental destruction, control devices in vehicles are equipped
with various self-diagnosing mechanisms. In order to make these
self-diagnosing mechanisms effective, they are subject to legal
control in some cases.
[0004] For example, as described in patent document 1, OBD2
regulations by the CARB (California Air Resources Board) require
all vehicles marketed in the United States to be equipped with
electronic control devices (the electronic control devices being
hereinafter also referred to as "ECUs (Electronic Control Units)")
provided with a monitoring function to see whether systems
associated with discharge gas generation from engines operate
normally, in order to prevent harmful discharge gas from being
emitted due to abnormalities within the engines.
[0005] A function that detects information about failure of an
engine and the like with an ECU and stores a result of the
detection in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM is referred to
as an OBD (On Board Diagnosis).
[0006] For example, the Rate Based Monitoring Act of OBD2 requires,
in relation to IPT (In-use Performance Tracking) of service $09,
that a monitoring frequency represented as follows be continually
stored in a nonvolatile memory.
[0007] Monitoring frequency=Number of times of monitoring/Number of
times of travel
[0008] That is, the monitoring frequency is defined by a ratio
between a counted value indicating the number of times of travel
counted when a predetermined travel condition is satisfied and a
counted value indicating the number of times of monitoring counted
when a judgment as to normality or abnormality is made by a failure
diagnosis carried out during the travel. The monitoring frequency
is controlled for a plurality of failure diagnosis target items
such as a catalytic converter, a fuel evaporation system, and an
oxygen sensor.
[0009] The number of times of travel refers to data with an
increment that is made every time when a predetermined, statutory
travel condition is satisfied in an item, and the number of times
of monitoring refers to data with an increment that is made upon
completion of a judgment as to normality or abnormality when a
failure diagnosis execution condition specified by an automobile
manufacturer is satisfied in an item.
[0010] The failure diagnosis target items specified by the Rate
Based Monitoring Act of OBD2 of the CARB are configured, for
example, such that when a failure diagnosis execution condition,
that is, a travel condition associated with a failure diagnosis
target item is fulfilled, then an engine ECU executes failure
diagnosis processing with respect to the item in order to carry out
a judgment as to normality or abnormality, and counts up data
stored in storage areas delimited in a nonvolatile memory for the
number of times of monitoring and the number of times of travel in
each of the failure diagnosis target items, thus carrying out
continual preservations and updates. When, as a result of the
failure diagnosis, the judgment cannot be made for normality or
abnormality, the number of times of monitoring is not counted up so
that the previous value is maintained.
[0011] During check work and the like of a vehicle at a repair
shop, the monitoring frequency stored in the nonvolatile memory is
configured to be collected into an external diagnosis device such
as a handy terminal connected to a diagnostic connector that a
maintenance engineer provides in the vehicle.
[0012] For the purpose of eliminating inappropriate, unnecessary
processing between a vehicle and a base station that receives
failure diagnosis information during a check, a repair, and a
maintenance that accord with the failure diagnosis information of
the vehicle, patent document 2 proposes a vehicle diagnosis system
such that when a self diagnosis executed by an ECU results in a
judgment for abnormality, corresponding failure diagnosis
information is transmitted from the vehicle to the base station
side in a wireless manner, while when thereafter an abnormality of
the vehicle corresponding to the failure diagnosis information is
eliminated, abnormality elimination information is transmitted
similarly from the vehicle to the base station side in a wireless
manner.
[0013] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 2004-152387
[0014] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication
No. 11-223578
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems that the Invention is to Solve
[0015] According to the conventional technique recited in patent
document 1, however, an examination as to whether the
above-described self-diagnosing mechanism operates in a normal
manner while satisfying statutory requirements necessitates
laborious work including bringing the vehicle to a repair shop and
the like and collecting the monitoring frequency by connecting the
external diagnosis device to the diagnostic connector, thus posing
the problem of practical difficulty in collecting such information
from many vehicles.
[0016] The vehicle diagnosis system recited in patent document 2
merely transmits failure diagnosis information from the vehicle to
the base station in a wireless manner when the self-diagnosing
mechanism detects an abnormality; no failure diagnosis information
is transmitted to the base station in a wireless manner when the
self-diagnosing mechanism makes a judgment for normality, and thus
the monitoring frequency cannot be collected. Thus, such a
configuration that vehicles transmit respective monitoring
frequencies to the base station every time self-diagnosing
mechanisms provided in the vehicles update and store the monitoring
frequencies makes the communication traffic enormous and thus is
not practical.
[0017] In view of the foregoing conventional problems, it is an
object of the present invention to provide an on-board machine, a
frequency collecting device, and a frequency collecting method that
are capable of readily examining whether a self-diagnosing
mechanism operates in a normal manner while satisfying statutory
requirements.
Means of Solving the Problems
[0018] In order to accomplish the above object, a feature
configuration of an on-board machine according to the present
invention is as follows. A failure-diagnosing on-board machine
provided in a vehicle includes: a storing portion for storing
information related to a failure diagnosis; and a control portion
for, upon receiving a transmission demand from an external
frequency collecting device, transmitting an executing frequency of
the failure diagnosis on the basis of the information related to
the failure diagnosis stored in the storing portion, the failure
diagnosis being executed when a predetermined travel condition is
satisfied.
[0019] With the above configuration, failure diagnosis executing
frequencies are transmitted from vehicles only when a demand is
made from a frequency collecting device, and thus the failure
diagnosis executing frequencies of the vehicles are controlled
while being collected to the frequency collecting device without
causing an excessive increase in communication traffic.
[0020] A feature configuration of a frequency collecting device
according to the present invention is as follows. A frequency
collecting device includes: a vehicle database for storing vehicle
information including a failure diagnosis executing frequency
calculated from a failure diagnosis of a vehicle; a target vehicle
extracting portion for extracting a concentration target vehicle
from the vehicle database; and a frequency concentrating portion
for concentrating through a communication line the failure
diagnosis executing frequency from the concentration target vehicle
extracted by the target vehicle extracting portion and for
registering the failure diagnosis executing frequency to the
vehicle database. The target vehicle extracting portion extracts
the concentration target vehicle on the basis of production control
information including at least a type and a production time of the
vehicle.
[0021] With the above configuration, when the frequency collecting
device collects failure diagnosis executing frequencies of
vehicles, the target vehicle extracting portion focuses on a
concentration target vehicle on the basis of production control
information including at least a type and a production time of the
vehicle, and the frequency concentrating portion collects the
failure diagnosis executing frequency of the focused vehicle, thus
making it possible to effectively concentrating the failure
diagnosis executing frequency of the desired vehicle without
congestion of the communication traffic.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0022] According to the present invention, it has been made
possible to provide an on-board machine, a frequency collecting
device, and a frequency collecting method that are capable of
readily examining whether a self-diagnosing mechanism operates in a
normal manner while satisfying statutory requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a monitoring frequency
control system.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of an
on-board machine and a monitoring frequency collecting device.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle database.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating information
transmission-reception between the monitoring frequency collecting
device, a retailer, a developer-manufacturer, and a vehicle.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing a vehicle diagnosis
operation carried out by the on-board machine and the monitoring
frequency collecting device.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERAL
[0028] 1 Monitoring frequency control system [0029] 3 Monitoring
frequency collecting device [0030] 4 ECU [0031] 5 CAN bus [0032] 6
Retailer [0033] 7 Developer-manufacturer [0034] 21 Self-diagnosing
portion [0035] 22 On-board machine [0036] 31 Vehicle database
[0037] 32 Target vehicle extracting portion [0038] 33 Monitoring
frequency concentrating device [0039] 34 Monitoring frequency
evaluating device [0040] 35 Maintenance notifying portion [0041] 36
Repair confirming portion [0042] 41 Engine ECU [0043] 42 AT
control-dedicated ECU [0044] 43 Brake control-dedicated ECU [0045]
221 EEPROM
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0046] An on-board machine, a frequency collecting device that
collects a monitoring frequency from outside a vehicle, and a
frequency collecting method according to the present invention will
be described below.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, a monitoring frequency control system 1
that controls an executing frequency of a failure diagnosis is
configured to include a plurality of vehicles M (three vehicles, M1
to M3, in FIG. 1) each including an on-board machine 22 for
carrying out a failure diagnosis of a corresponding vehicle, a
frequency collecting device 3 (hereinafter referred to as
"monitoring frequency collecting device 3") serving as an
information control center that collects failure diagnosis
executing frequency information (hereinafter referred to as
"monitoring frequency information") from each of the vehicles M,
and mobile communication networks N for connecting the vehicles M
and the monitoring frequency collecting device 3 with each other in
a wirelessly communicable manner.
[0048] As the mobile communication networks N, mobile phone lines
are used for data communication between, through relay stations N1,
the vehicles M and the monitoring frequency collecting device 3,
which is located at an area apart from the vehicles M. It should be
noted that the mobile communication networks are not limited to
mobile phone lines; other forms of communication infrastructure may
be used such as wireless LANs and satellite communication
lines.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, each of the vehicles M is equipped with
a plurality of ECUs 4 for electronically controlling a plurality of
functional blocks including an engine, a transmission, and a brake,
and the ECUs 4 are network-connected with each other through a CAN
(Controller Area Network) bus 5 so that they are travel-controlled
together as a whole. While FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of
a vehicle M1 alone, other vehicles M2 and M3 have the same
configurations.
[0050] Specifically, each of the vehicles M is equipped with a
plurality of ECUs 4 including an engine ECU 41 for driving and
controlling an engine, an automatic transmission (AT)
control-dedicated ECU 42, a brake control-dedicated ECU 43, and an
on-board machine 22 serving as a communication ECU that transmits
failure diagnosis information to the monitoring frequency
collecting device 3.
[0051] Each of the ECUs 4 is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, an
EEPROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU repeatedly executes a built-in
program stored in the ROM, EEPROM, or the like at predetermined
intervals to process the values of sensors provided in the
functional blocks and built-in data stored in the EEPROM, RAM, or
the like and to control the functional blocks on the basis of the
processing, thereby causing the functional blocks to exhibit
respective, predetermined functions.
[0052] For example, the engine control-dedicated ECU 41 carries out
driving and control to keep the engine at an appropriate rotational
number by controlling the amount of fuel supply to the engine at a
predetermined amount of supply on the basis of output signals of
sensors such as an intake air temperature sensor 410, an oxygen
sensor 411, a discharge gas (air-fuel ratio) sensor 412, a throttle
valve openness sensor 413, and a battery voltage sensor 414, and on
the basis of communication data from other associated ECUs such as
the automatic transmission control-dedicated ECU 42.
[0053] The automatic transmission control-dedicated ECU 42 executes
switching of a speed range by an input from a shift position 420
and switching of oil pressure by an oil pressure sensor, and the
brake control-dedicated ECU 43 executes oil pressure control of a
brake system and the like on the basis of output signals of a pedal
pressing amount sensor 430 and a wheel encoder 431.
[0054] The ECUs 41, 42, and 43 are each provided with a
self-diagnosing portion 21 for diagnosing whether the control
target blocks operate normally. The self-diagnosing portion 21 is
realized by the CPU, the ROM, the EEPROM, the RAM, and the like
provided in each ECU 4.
[0055] That is, the CPU is configured to repeatedly execute a
self-diagnosis at predetermined intervals on the basis of a
self-diagnosis program stored in the ROM, the EEPROM, or the like
and on the basis of parameters and variables (such as the number of
times of monitoring and the number of times of travel, described
later) used in this program and stored in the EEPROM, the RAM, or
the like.
[0056] Then, diagnosis information including a monitoring frequency
generated by each self-diagnosing portion 21 is transmitted to the
on-board machine 22 through the CAN bus 5 and stored in an EEPROM
221, which is a nonvolatile memory provided in the on-board machine
22.
[0057] The self-diagnosing portion 21 carries out a failure
diagnosis when a predetermined travel condition set in advance on a
failure diagnosis target item basis is satisfied, and cumulatively
records a predetermined monitoring frequency in the EEPROM or the
RAM. It should be noted that the RAM is configured to be fed power
from a battery even in the state where an ignition switch is off,
so that stored data is not lost.
[0058] The term "monitoring frequency" refers to an executing rate
of the failure diagnosis by the self-diagnosing portion 21 with
respect to sensors provided in the vehicle, and the Rate Based
Monitoring Act specifies such an obligation that the monitoring
frequency must be equal to or more than a predetermined specified
value.
[0059] When the executing rate of the failure diagnosis is low in
the case of failure in the sensors provided in the vehicle,
notification to the driver is delayed and a repair is also delayed.
If the vehicle travels while the sensors are in failed states, an
inhibiting function against harmful discharge gas might not work,
resulting in more serious pollution.
[0060] As an example of the function to inhibit discharge of
harmful gas, the engine control-dedicated ECU 41 realizes a
function that detects gas resulting from combustion in an engine
cylinder with an A/F (air-fuel ratio) sensor and carries out, on
the basis of the concentration of oxygen contained in the discharge
gas, feedback control (stoichiometric control) of an injector so
that the ratio between fuel and air becomes a theoretical air-fuel
ratio, thereby detoxifying harmful discharge gas as much as
possible through a three-way catalyst device.
[0061] However, if the vehicle travels while the A/F sensor is in a
failed state, this function might not work appropriately, causing
emission of harmful discharge gas and resulting in occurrence of
pollution.
[0062] In case of such a situation, the Rate Based Monitoring Act
is established for purposes including preserving the environment,
prompting a repair by notifying early the user about a case of
failure in the vehicle and the like, and preventing occurrence of
pollution and the like resulting from failure.
[0063] Satisfying the above predetermined travel conditions refers
to fulfilling the following conditions (1), (2), and (3), for
example.
[0064] (1) Premises
[0065] i) The engine rotational number after activation of the
engine is equal to or more than 600 (rpm).
[0066] ii) Outside temperature.gtoreq.-6.7 (.degree. C.).
[0067] iii) An altitude of less than 8000 (feet).
[0068] (2) The following condition lasts for a predetermined period
of time or longer.
[0069] i) Vehicle speed.gtoreq.41 (km/h).
[0070] (3) The following conditions last for a predetermined period
of time or longer.
[0071] i) Idling ON
[0072] ii) Vehicle speed.ltoreq.1 (km/h).
[0073] For example, a travel condition is set on the basis of
assumptions including such an assumption that an appropriate
failure diagnosis is executable when the vehicle has a
predetermined condition such as traveling at a vehicle speed of
equal to or higher than 41 km. When the vehicle has the set travel
condition, a failure diagnosis is carried out without exception,
and when there is a failure, the user is notified to prompt a
repair, thereby attempting to prevent occurrence of pollution
caused by failure. It should be noted that the travel conditions
are subject to change appropriately in accordance with amendment of
associated laws.
[0074] The monitoring frequency is defined by a ratio between a
counted value indicating the number of times of travel counted when
the above predetermined travel condition is satisfied and a counted
value indicating the number of times of monitoring counted when a
judgment as to normality or abnormality is made by a failure
diagnosis carried out during the travel.
[0075] Monitoring frequency=Number of times of monitoring/Number of
times of travel
[0076] For example, when the above travel condition is satisfied, a
self-diagnosing portion 21a configured in the engine ECU 41 carries
out a diagnosis as to normality or abnormality by detecting a value
of a sensor associated with a diagnosis target item input at a
predetermined timing and an operation result of a driven actuator,
and, for every diagnosis, makes an increment to the counted value
of the number of times of travel while at the same time making an
increment to the counted value of the number of times of
monitoring. When, as a result of the diagnosis, the judgment cannot
be made for normality or abnormality, the counted number of times
of travel is incremented, while the counted number of times of
monitoring is not counted up so that the previous value is
maintained.
[0077] Thus, the monitoring frequency is not updated when a
predetermined travel condition set on a failure diagnosis target
item basis is not satisfied, while when no judgment is made for
normality or abnormality even though the predetermined travel
condition is satisfied, the counted number of times of monitoring
is not updated so that the previous value is maintained. The
self-diagnosing portion 21 is also configured to control, as a
failure diagnosis history, the occurrence date and the repair date
of a detected failure.
[0078] The on-board machine 22 is configured to include a
communication portion, a CPU, a ROM that stores a control program,
an EEPROM 221 that stores diagnosis information such as a
monitoring frequency, area-of-sale information and travel distance
information of the corresponding vehicle, and a RAM that is
regularly fed power from a battery regardless of the state of an
ignition switch.
[0079] When the communication portion receives a transmission
demand for information of the monitoring frequency and the like
from the external monitoring frequency collecting device 3 through
the above mobile phone line, which is the mobile communication
network N, then the CPU transmits, in response to the transmission
demand, the information such as the monitoring frequency and the
like stored in the EEPROM 221 to the external monitoring frequency
collecting device 3 through the communication portion.
[0080] The CPU temporarily buffers in the RAM diagnosis information
and the like input from the ECUs 41, 42, and 43 through the CAN bus
5, and updates and stores the diagnosis information and the like in
the EEPROM 221 at a timing of turning off the ignition switch. That
is, the diagnosis information and the like input through the CAN
bus 5 within the period of time between ON and OFF of the ignition
switch is configured to be transmitted after the ignition switch is
next turned on in response to the transmission demand from the
monitoring frequency collecting device 3.
[0081] Various diagnosis information and the like input through the
CAN bus 5 after the ignition switch is turned on and before the
ignition switch is turned off may vary due to travel and the like
that follow and thus are updated collectively when the ignition
switch is turned off.
[0082] That is, a block of the on-board machine 22 executing the
above transmitting and receiving processing serves as a control
portion for transmitting, in response to the transmission demand
from the external monitoring frequency collecting device 3,
predetermined monitoring frequencies calculated from failure
diagnoses carried out by the ECUs 41, 42, and 43.
[0083] It should be noted that the communication portion is
composed of hardware such as an interface board for controlling
communication between the on-board machine 22 and an external
appliance, and may be provided inside or outside the on-board
machine 22.
[0084] The control portion carries out control to transmit the
monitoring frequency in response to the transmission demand from
the monitoring frequency collecting device 3 when the counted value
of the number of times of travel is equal to or more than a
predetermined counted value or when the monitoring frequency is
within a predetermined frequency range, thereby avoiding increased
communication traffic caused by transmission of unnecessary data
not worthy of evaluation.
[0085] For example, in response to the transmission demand from the
monitoring frequency collecting device 3, the control portion sets
in advance a threshold value for the number of times of travel by
which to judge whether to transmit the monitoring frequency in
return. When the counted value of the number of times of travel is
smaller than the threshold value at the time of the transmission
demand, the control portion judges that a problem exists in the
credibility of data because the number of sample data is small,
thus avoiding transmission of the monitoring frequency.
[0086] When transmitting the monitoring frequency to the monitoring
frequency collecting device 3, the control portion notifies the
driver by carrying out control to display, on a display lamp or a
liquid crystal display portion provided on an instrumental panel, a
lamp or a message while the monitoring frequency and the like is
being transmitted.
[0087] Here the control portion may also carry out control to
display, on the liquid crystal display portion, information that is
being transmitted to the monitoring frequency collecting device 3
such as the monitoring frequency. In this case, the driver can be
notified what kind of information is being transmitted.
[0088] Such a notifying function can be realized by such a
configuration that the control portion directly carries out display
control of the display lamp or the liquid crystal display portion.
The notifying function can also be realized by such a configuration
that the control portion carries out display control through an ECU
dedicated to instrument panel control and connected to the CAN bus
5.
[0089] The control portion is configured such that when a signal is
input to the control portion from a transmission control switch
provided in the vicinity of the door beside the driver's seat while
there is a transmission demand for a monitoring frequency from the
monitoring frequency collecting device 3, then the control portion
permits transmission of the monitoring frequency when the driver
carries out an ON operation of a transmission control switch, while
prohibiting transmission of the monitoring frequency when the
driver carries out an OFF operation of the transmission control
switch. By the driver's ON or OFF operation of the transmission
control switch, whether to provide vehicle information such as the
monitoring frequency and the like to a third party is changed, thus
taking into consideration the driver's will as to whether to
externally transmit information about the driver's vehicle.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 2, the monitoring frequency collecting
device 3 is configured to include a vehicle database 31 for storing
vehicle information including a monitoring frequency, a target
vehicle extracting portion 32 for extracting a concentration target
vehicle from the vehicle database 31, a monitoring frequency
concentrating portion 33 for concentrating the monitoring frequency
from a concentration target vehicle extracted by the target vehicle
extracting portion 32 through the communication line, that is, the
mobile phone line, which is the mobile communication network N, and
for registering the monitoring frequency to the vehicle database
31, and a monitoring frequency evaluating portion 34 for
evaluating, based on the concentrated monitoring frequency, whether
the self-diagnosing portion 21 provided in the vehicle operates
normally.
[0091] With the above configuration, on the basis of production
control information including a type and a production time of the
vehicle registered in the vehicle database 31, the target vehicle
extracting portion 32 focuses on a concentration target vehicle,
and the monitoring frequency concentrating portion 33 concentrates
a monitoring frequency from each vehicle M for the focused
concentration target vehicle, thereby making it possible to
appropriately and efficiently collect the monitoring frequency
without increasing the communication traffic.
[0092] Detailed description will be made below. Referring to FIG.
3, the vehicle database 31 includes a plurality of records
classified on a control target vehicle basis, and each record
includes field data including a chassis number field for uniquely
identifying a vehicle, a production control information field for
recording production control information of the vehicle, user
control information field for recording owner information of the
vehicle, and a travel control information field for recording
travel control information such as the monitoring frequency of the
vehicle.
[0093] The production control information field includes field data
including a type of the vehicle, an engine type, a version of
software provided in the engine and the like, a production time
(L/O), and a vehicle communication address.
[0094] The vehicle communication address serves as address
information for communication with the vehicle such as an IP
address allotted to the vehicle when, for example, an Internet
connection is made through the communication portion.
[0095] It should be noted that the vehicle communication address is
not limited to the IP address allotted to the vehicle; when a
communication is made through a mobile phone of the owner, address
information of the mobile phone is stored. In this case, the
vehicle communication address may be stored in the user control
information field.
[0096] The user control information field includes field data
including retailer information indicating an area of sale, time of
sale, a customer ID number, a customer name, a customer telephone
number, and a customer address.
[0097] The travel control information field includes field data
including a monitoring time indicating the time and date of a
concentration from the vehicle by the monitoring frequency
concentrating portion 33, a monitoring frequency concentrated on a
failure diagnosis target basis on this occasion, the number of
times of monitoring, the number of times of travel, and further, an
accumulated travel distance and failure diagnosis history of the
vehicle.
[0098] The target vehicle extracting portion 32 is configured to
function as a scheduler that extracts concentration target vehicles
from control target vehicles registered in the vehicle database 31
on the basis of the production control information including the
type and the production time of the vehicles and that determines a
concentration time so that the monitoring frequency concentrating
portion 33 concentrates monitoring frequencies through sequential
access to the concentration target vehicles at the determined
time.
[0099] The monitoring frequency concentrating portion 33 repeatedly
transmits a monitoring frequency transmission demand predetermined
times at predetermined intervals until monitoring frequencies and
the like are transmitted in return from the concentration target
vehicles. Each of the predetermined intervals is set to become
gradually longer. When the ignition switch of a concentration
target vehicle is not turned on at the time when the monitoring
frequency concentrating portion 33 transmits the transmission
demand, the on-board machine 22 is not activated and therefore the
monitoring frequency cannot be transmitted in return. The
transmission demand cannot be received during travel through
mountainous areas and the like where radio wave communication is
not available. In view of this, the transmission demand is
repeatedly transmitted in order to activate the on-board machine 22
of the concentration target vehicle or in order to secure increased
opportunities for reception of the transmission demand.
[0100] Specifically, the target vehicle extracting portion 32
extracts target vehicles such that monitoring frequencies are
concentrated upon elapse of every predetermined concentration
period, e.g., six months, until elapse of a predetermined period of
time, e.g., three years, counted from the production times (L/O) of
the vehicles. Here priority for extraction is given to such
vehicles that the monitoring frequency evaluating portion 34
evaluates that the self-diagnosing portion 21 does not operate
normally on the basis of the monitoring frequencies and the like
concentrated from the control target vehicles, or such vehicles
that monitoring frequencies are yet to be concentrated from.
[0101] Specifically, in order to efficiently collect necessary
evaluation data, the target vehicle extracting portion 32 extracts,
as concentration target vehicles and on a particular type vehicle
basis, vehicles in which the concentration time has passed on the
basis of the production times of the vehicles, and prepares a
concentration schedule. In addition, in the cases where the
self-diagnosing portions are somewhat improved depending on the
production times of the vehicles even though the types thereof are
the same, the concentration target vehicles may be extracted on the
basis of production control information including versions of
software indicating the difference caused by the improvement.
[0102] Upon receiving access from the monitoring frequency
concentrating portion 33 and a monitoring frequency transmission
demand, the on-board machine 22 provided in each of the vehicles
transmits the monitoring frequency and necessary information stored
in the EEPROM 21, as described above. Specifically, the on-board
machine 22 transmits vehicle side control information including the
monitoring frequency, the number of times of monitoring, the number
of times of travel, and further an accumulated travel distance and
failure history of the vehicle, and area-of-sale information of the
vehicle.
[0103] On the basis of concentrated data from a plurality of
vehicles, the monitoring frequency evaluating portion 34 evaluates
whether the monitoring frequency indicates a suitable value on the
basis of the concentrated vehicle side control information, the
evaluation being on a vehicle group basis specified by, for
example, the vehicle type, engine type, the version of software
provided in the engine, the production time (L/O), and the
concentration time.
[0104] For example, with respect to a group of vehicles that have a
common vehicle type, engine type, and version of software provided
in the engine, and have a common production time (L/O) or the
production time (L/O) is within a predetermined period of time, the
monitoring frequency evaluating portion 34 judges whether the
monitoring frequencies are secured within a predetermined variation
range around an assumed design value on the basis of the
accumulated travel distance. In the case of a large deviation, the
monitoring frequency evaluating portion 34 judges that the
self-diagnosing portion 21 does not operate normally.
[0105] As an evaluation condition, the evaluation may be carried
out on the basis of, other than the accumulated travel distance,
the concentration time or the area-of-sale information. When a
basis is placed on the concentration time, which serves as an
alternative to the elapse of time from the production time (L/O),
an influence of change with time can be evaluated, while when a
basis is placed on the area-of-sale information, an influence of
environment such as in a cold region, a temperate region, and a
tropical region can be evaluated. Such an evaluation is carried out
with respect to the monitoring frequency on a failure diagnosis
target basis.
[0106] The monitoring frequency collecting device 3 further
includes a maintenance notifying portion 35 for judging, on the
basis of time-sequence data of monitoring frequency concentrated
from an arbitrary vehicle and controlled by the vehicle database
31, an operation state of the self-diagnosing portion 21 of the
vehicle, and for, when judging that the operation state is 25
degraded, sending maintenance information to the vehicle.
[0107] For example, when the concentrated monitoring frequency is
below a predetermined threshold value because of change with time
and the like, the maintenance notifying portion 35 is configured to
transmit maintenance information to the vehicle, and the on-board
machine 22 of the vehicle to which the maintenance information was
transmitted is configured to display, on a display device of a
navigation system of the vehicle, the maintenance information,
e.g., a guidance screen of maintenance items, information about
necessary members, and a closest retailer or a repair shop. The
guidance may be auditory notification by providing an audio
outputting device.
[0108] Referring to FIG. 4, the monitoring frequency collecting
device 3 is configured to transmit the maintenance information of
the vehicle also to a closest retailer 6 or a repair shop in order
to carry out preparations such as securing necessary members and
arrangement of a repair schedule.
[0109] It should be noted that in FIG. 4, communication and contact
for the monitoring frequency collecting device 3, the retailer 6,
and a manufacturer 7 is not limited to a mobile communication
network N as shown; it is possible to use, for example,
communication infrastructure such as a WAN and a telephone
line.
[0110] The monitoring frequency collecting device 3 is further
configured to include a repair confirming portion 36 for, when a
vehicle judged as abnormal is repaired at the retailer 6 or the
like in accordance with transmission of the maintenance
information, confirming whether an appropriate repair is carried
out on the basis of receipt of repair completion information from
the retailer 6 or the like.
[0111] Specifically, such a configuration is employed that travel
pattern information for normal operation confirmation is
transmitted from the monitoring frequency collecting device 3 to
the vehicle that has completed repairing, and a result of a
diagnosis by the self-diagnosing portion 21 activated during travel
in the travel pattern that the vehicle received is transmitted to
the monitoring frequency collecting device 3 so that the repair
confirming portion 36 confirms that an appropriate repair was
carried out on the basis of the transmitted diagnosis result. Such
information is stored in the vehicle database 31 as a failure
history.
[0112] An example of the travel pattern information, in the case of
being related to the monitoring frequency of the discharge gas
sensor, may be configured as a self-diagnosis program that checks
an output value of the discharge gas sensor when, for example, the
amount of fuel injection is controlled at a predetermined level
while the engine is in an idling state.
[0113] A vehicle diagnosis operation carried out by the on-board
machine 22 and the monitoring frequency collecting device 3 will be
described below on the basis of a flowchart shown in FIG. 5.
[0114] The target vehicle extracting portion 32 of the monitoring
frequency collecting device 3 extracts a concentration target
vehicle from control information registered in the vehicle database
31 on the basis of production control information, and the
monitoring frequency concentrating portion 33 makes a transmission
demand to the extracted vehicle (S1).
[0115] The on-board machine 22 of the vehicle that has received the
transmission demand reads from the EEPROM 221 vehicle side control
information that results from a diagnosis carried out by the
self-diagnosing portion 21 up to this time and is accumulated and
recorded, such as the monitoring frequency, the number of times of
monitoring, the number of times of travel, and further an
accumulated travel distance and failure history of the vehicle, and
area-of-sale information of the vehicle (S2). The on-board machine
22 transmits the vehicle side control information to the monitoring
frequency collecting device 3 (S3).
[0116] The monitoring frequency evaluating portion 34 carries out
filtering processing for extracting evaluation target data from
vehicle side control information such as monitoring frequencies
received from vehicles (S4), and executes an evaluation of the
extracted monitoring frequencies (S5). In the filtering processing,
filtering conditions are set appropriately in accordance with the
purpose of the evaluation, examples including whether the
accumulated travel distance from the previous evaluation exceeds a
predetermined distance, and whether the evaluation target data is
data related to a vehicle of a particular area from retailer
information.
[0117] After a general evaluation, an individual evaluation is
carried out, and when the monitoring frequency of a particular
vehicle is abnormal, the maintenance notifying portion 35 transmits
maintenance information to the vehicle (S6).
[0118] In accordance with the maintenance information, a retailer
prepares members and workers in preparation for arrival of the
vehicle in which an abnormality has occurred (S7), and a
manufacturer-seller analyzes a repair result and a failed member
from the retailer and takes precautions measures including
specification changes in vehicles that are the same type as the
abnormal vehicle or vehicles that were manufactured in the same
month and year as the abnormal vehicle (S8).
[0119] Another embodiment will be described below.
[0120] While in the above embodiment description is made of the
configuration where the on-board machine 22 transmits the
monitoring frequency and necessary information in response to a
transmission demand from the monitoring frequency collecting device
3, it is also possible to employ such a configuration that the
on-board machine 22 transmits the monitoring frequency alone.
[0121] While in the above embodiment description is made of the
configuration where the monitoring frequency is transmitted only
when the counted number of times of travel is equal to or more than
a predetermined counted value in order to avoid increased
communication traffic, it is also possible to employ such a
configuration that a threshold value for the number of times of
monitoring or the monitoring frequency is set in advance so that at
less than the threshold value, the monitoring frequency is not
transmitted. It is also possible to employ such a configuration
that threshold values are set for all the number of times of
travel, the number of times of monitoring, and the monitoring
frequency so that the monitoring frequency is transmitted only when
the values of the foregoing are all equal to or more than
respective threshold values.
[0122] When transmission of the monitoring frequency is avoided,
such a configuration may be employed that vehicle side control
information including the accumulated travel distance and failure
history of the vehicle, and area-of-sale information of the vehicle
is transmitted. In this case, the monitoring frequency evaluating
portion 34 can assume a cause that makes the monitoring frequency
equal to or less than the threshold value.
[0123] Further, when the monitoring frequency stored in the EEPROM
221 sticks to zero or a maximum value, such a configuration may be
employed that the monitoring frequency is not transmitted as being
a case of an abnormality in the EEPROM 221 or a circuit on a
periphery thereof.
[0124] From the viewpoint of avoiding increased communication
traffic, such a configuration may be employed that an automatic
transmission condition setting signal is transmitted in advance to
vehicles so that a self-transmission is carried out when the
vehicles satisfy an automatic transmission condition that is set.
As an automatic transmission condition, the accumulated travel
distance, the monitoring frequency, and the like may be set.
[0125] Such a configuration may be employed that collation data
indicating whether a transmission demand is genuine is added to
transmission demand data to the vehicles from the monitoring
frequency collecting device 3 and transmitted, and that a collating
portion is provided on the vehicle side for judging for a genuine
transmission demand so that the vehicle side responds only to a
genuine transmission demand. This eliminates a false transmission
demand made by pretension and the like.
[0126] Also such a configuration may be employed that an encoding
portion is provided for transmitting encoded collation data to the
vehicle side in order to accomplish the purpose of maintaining
security such as prevention of tampering of transmitted data, and
an encoding portion is provided for encoding return data from the
vehicle side and transmitting the return data.
[0127] When, for example, such a contract is made that a vehicle
introduces a system enabling an Internet connection from the
vehicle, the collation data may be a personal identification number
and the like that a user of the system determines at the time of
the contract.
[0128] During a high speed travel or a travel with frequent
acceleration and deceleration, the processing load on each of the
ECUs is large and the capacity of data coming and going through the
CAN bus is large, which might cause, for example, task missing to
occur such that the self-diagnosing portion 21, which is low in
priority in engine control-dedicated ECUs compared with important
control such as injection control, is not executed in accordance
with its execution period and delayed. In this case, the monitoring
frequency might not be updated appropriately. It is also necessary
to avoid in advance situations that might undermine control of
vehicles of low priority caused by excessive processing load on the
ECUs.
[0129] In view of this, it is preferable that the on-board machine
22 include a transmission judging portion for judging whether to
transmit the monitoring frequency and the like on the basis of the
travel condition of the vehicle at the time of a transmission
demand from the monitoring frequency collecting device 3.
[0130] When the control load on the ECUs is judged to be low for a
predetermined period of time such as in a vehicle stop state, an
idling state, and a constant travel state in which axel openness is
constant and there is no drastic acceleration and deceleration,
then the transmission judging portion judges this case as
returnable, while when the control load on the ECUs is judged to be
high such as when the transmission is frequently operated so that
the axel and the brake are operated frequently or for a long period
of time, then the transmission judging portion judges this case as
non-returnable. When the transmission judging portion judges for
returnability, the control portion transmits the monitoring
frequency and the like to the monitoring frequency collecting
device 3, while when the transmission judging portion judges for
non-returnability, the control portion suspends transmission of the
monitoring frequency and the like.
[0131] The information suspended in transmission such as the
monitoring frequency may be configured to be transmitted at the
time of the next transmission demand from the monitoring frequency
collecting device 3 or when the transmission judging portion judges
for returnability.
[0132] While in the above embodiment description is made of the
case where the target vehicle extracting portion 32 extracts a
concentration target vehicle from which a monitoring frequency is
concentrated on the basis of production control information every
time a predetermined concentration period of time elapses, it is
also possible to predict a concentration time at which the next
accumulated travel distance will become a predetermined travel
distance from accumulated travel distances concentrated from
vehicles and past concentration times in order to extract a vehicle
that satisfies the time as a concentration target vehicle.
[0133] While in the above embodiment description is made of the
case where the monitoring frequency collecting device includes a
monitoring frequency evaluating portion, the provision of the
monitoring frequency evaluating portion is not limited to the
monitoring frequency collecting device; the monitoring frequency
collecting device may be provided in an information processing
device on the manufacturer side connected through a communication
line.
[0134] The on-board machine transmitting the monitoring frequency
may be configured to be incorporated in an electronic control
device that carries out failure diagnosis so that the functions are
integrated.
[0135] The above embodiments are provided by way of example only,
and it will be appreciated that the specific configurations and the
like of the blocks may be modified appropriately within a range
where the advantageous effects of the present invention are
exhibited.
[0136] The above plurality of embodiments may be realized
individually or combined within a range where the advantageous
effects of the present invention are exhibited.
* * * * *